All social housing landlords have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments for disabled tenants if requested. However, as the Housing Ombudsman noted in its spotlight report on attitudes, respects and rights, “Not all landlords understand their requirements, obligations and duties on reasonable adjustments, nor the importance of these adjustments to residents.”

The Equality Act’s definition of disability is quite wide. It can include autism, ADHD and long-term injuries and illnesses. With a growing number of vulnerable people in general needs housing, the need to make reasonable adjustments in both service provision and the physical attributes of the home are growing.

Just having a policy on vulnerabilities or reasonable adjustments is not enough and does not guarantee that changes will actually be made when housing officers visit tenants or make arrangements for repairs to be carried out.

Knowledge must be embedded into systems; staff need to understand what to ask and why. Requests and agreements need to be fully recorded so that everyone is clear on what to do and when. This is easier said than done.

To help you get started, HQN expert Danny McGowan will deliver a focused virtual breakfast briefing session. He will explore the issues that social housing landlords need to grapple with including the expectations of the Housing Ombudsman.

What will be covered:

• The 2010 Equality Act – especially regarding reasonable adjustments
  • Understand the definition of ‘disability’
  • Understand what is reasonable and when to make adjustments
• What to record and how to use it
• The view of the Housing Ombudsmen Service on reasonable adjustments
• Its findings in relation to a complaint about a lack of reasonable adjustments by Clarion Housing Association
• Housing examples from case law.

Why attend?

• Understand your legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 on making reasonable adjustments
• Understand the importance of recording and using vulnerability and disability information for tenants and all staff
• Improve your ability to make reasonable adjustments in service provision
• Become better equipped to support vulnerable tenants.

Essential for:

• Directors and managers of housing services
• Directors and managers of repairs services
• All staff with customer interaction
• All staff who wish to expand their knowledge around making reasonable adjustments.

All delegates will be sent a voucher for 10% off linked training courses after the event.

8:30am Welcome and introductions

• Danny McGowan, Trainer, HQN

Understanding the Equality Act 2010 – a focus on reasonable adjustments

Opportunities for questions and discussion

9:30am Close

Danny McGowan, Trainer, HQN

Danny McGowan BSC, MSC has been involved in supporting people with substance misuse, mental health and other complex needs for over 20 years. He has developed experience in many specialist areas, such as working with hoarders and those with a dual diagnosis and has delivered training in techniques such as motivational interviewing and CBT. He has been delivering training for the housing sector for over a decade and has many years’ experience of developing client/customer involvement and peer mentoring schemes.

Danny uses a combination of his years of experience, current good practice guidelines and research evidence to deliver the topics he trains. He uses a holistic interactive training style that provides delegates with real skills and information, which they are then able to apply back in the workplace and beyond. He has delivered training and provided consultancy to numerous organisations during his career. Notable clients include the Department of Health, Department of Work and Pensions and the Home Office as well as housing organisations across the UK.

If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

Cancellations must be made in writing and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited.